Source: Official Team Post via X
Aston Martin Defends Lance Stroll Amid Challenging F1 Season
Aston Martin's Mike Krack insists Lance Stroll's motivation remains high despite a tough 2026 season. Stroll has retired from 11 out of 16 races, yet continues to work hard on the simulator.
Lance Stroll's 2026 F1 season stats are tough reading: 11 retirements, one non-classified finish, and just a single completed race distance. It's been a challenging year for Aston Martin and its new engine partner, Honda. Despite these setbacks, Aston Martin's chief trackside officer, Mike Krack, emphasizes that Stroll's determination to improve remains steadfast.
This season, Aston Martin has only managed to score seven points, all thanks to Fernando Alonso, while Stroll has yet to make a mark on the scoreboard. The Canadian driver has been plagued by reliability issues from the start, beginning with a non-classification at the Australian Grand Prix, where multiple pit stops failed to resolve problems with the AMR26 and its power unit.
Stroll's luck didn't improve much as he retired from 10 of the next 14 races. His best result came when he finally completed a race at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, securing a P12 finish. However, his next outing in Singapore ended in another DNF, highlighting the ongoing struggles.
Despite these frustrations, including some heated team radio exchanges and a tense moment with a marshal in Baku, Krack insists Stroll's motivation hasn't wavered. "He was on the simulator for almost the entire day on Tuesday," Krack shared in Austin. "He’s working not just on the next car but also preparing for upcoming events and exploring different directions."
Stroll will remain with Aston Martin next season, continuing alongside Alonso for the fifth consecutive year. Krack noted that this continuity aids in car development and enhances teamwork. "It certainly helps in terms of openness and everything," he added.